Condé Nast Traveler Highlights Top Midwest Staycation Resorts

Minnesota and Wisconsin resorts top the magazine's Readers' Choice Awards for Midwest getaways.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Condé Nast Traveler's latest Readers' Choice Awards highlight some of the best Midwest staycation resorts, with top picks in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The article showcases three resorts - Canoe Bay in Chetek, Wisconsin, Wild Rice Retreat in Bayfield, Wisconsin, and Madden's on Gull Lake near Brainerd, Minnesota - that offer relaxation, outdoor activities, and luxury accommodations within driving distance of major Midwest cities.

Why it matters

As more travelers look to skip the airport this year, these Midwest resorts provide appealing staycation options that allow guests to enjoy a getaway without the hassle of air travel. The article highlights how these resorts offer a carefully curated experience focused on simple pleasures, natural surroundings, and local cuisine - all within a short drive for many Midwest residents.

The details

Canoe Bay in Chetek, Wisconsin, is an adults-only resort featuring Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired cottages and rooms dotting the shores of three glacial lakes. The property includes hiking trails, a library, and a farm-to-table restaurant. Wild Rice Retreat in Bayfield, Wisconsin, on the shores of Lake Superior, offers saunas, yoga, and forest bathing classes to help guests find solace. Madden's on Gull Lake near Brainerd, Minnesota, is a golf lover's paradise with seven restaurants and three golf courses spread across 63 holes.

  • Condé Nast Traveler released its latest Readers' Choice Awards in March 2026.
  • Canoe Bay has been featured on the Readers' Choice list for several consecutive years.
  • Wild Rice Retreat and Madden's on Gull Lake have also appeared on the list multiple times.

The players

Condé Nast Traveler

A renowned travel publication that releases an annual Readers' Choice Awards list highlighting top destinations and resorts around the world.

Canoe Bay

An adults-only resort in Chetek, Wisconsin, featuring Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired cottages and rooms along three glacial lakes.

Wild Rice Retreat

An adults-only resort in Bayfield, Wisconsin, on the shores of Lake Superior, offering saunas, yoga, and forest bathing classes.

Madden's on Gull Lake

A golf resort near Brainerd, Minnesota, with seven restaurants and three golf courses spread across 63 holes.

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What they’re saying

“It's the season for booking those spring break getaways, and if you're looking to skip the airport this year, take a page out of the Condé Nast Traveler.”

— Erin Hassanzadeh, Author (cbsnews.com)

The takeaway

As more Midwest travelers seek convenient staycation options, these top-rated resorts in Minnesota and Wisconsin provide appealing alternatives to air travel, offering a carefully curated experience focused on relaxation, outdoor activities, and local cuisine - all within a short drive for many.